Health legislation and hospital services
Deputy McDonald asks whether health legislation will cover Magdalen survivors abroad and whether Mount Carmel Hospital could become public; the Tánaiste identifies forthcoming health Bills and promises clarification.
In respect of the health (amendment) (No. 2) Bill, is this the legislation the Tánaiste envisages will deal with the health service provisions for the survivors of the Magdalen Laundries, including those survivors who live outside the State. There has been toing and froing between the Departments of Health and Justice and Equality on this issue and we are no clearer as to how that will be resolved.
As the Tánaiste knows, Mount Carmel Hospital in south Dublin is due to close. Are there any plans for this private facility to become a public hospital and is legislation required?
Comment on this
A Topical Issue matter has been agreed on that subject. It is not a matter for the Order of Business.
Comment on this
There is a health (provision of general practitioner services) Bill which is to be published this session and a health (amendment) Bill which is to be published this year. I am not sure which piece of legislation addresses the issue raised by Deputy McDonald. I will check and ask the Minister for Health to let her know.